Impact of Visceral Obesity on Chronic Obstipation, Inflammation, Immune Function and Cognitive Function Among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract Background: Obesity has gained attention among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The impact of visceral obesity on chronic obstipation, inflammation, immune function and cognition after diagnosis of IBD is still unknown.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 140 IBD patients. Patients’ visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were measured by abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scans and were grouped according to visceral obesity. Baseline variables, chronic obstipation status, inflammation status and immune function were compared. The implications of visceral obesity on cognitive function were evaluated using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).Results: The prevalence of visceral obesity was 51% (37 out of 72) for CD patients and 26% for UC patients (18 out of 68 patients). CD patients with visceral obesity has higher incidence of chronic obstipation (81% vs. 57%, P = 0.028), higher IL-6 levels (9.3 vs. 6.0 pg/ml, P = 0.045) and lower CD4+ T cells (32.7% vs. 44.0%, P = 0.034). For UC patients, patients with visceral obesity have the tendency of higher IL-6 levels (7.2 vs. 6.0 pg/ml, P = 0.053).Conclusion: IBD patients had high risks of visceral obesity. Patients with visceral obesity had higher prevalence of chronic obstipation, higher inflammation levels, decreased immune function.